Legendary Scottish motor racing outfit Ecurie Ecosse has signed a new key sponsorship agreement with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky that will see the team promote the Black Bull Whisky brand through its European Le Mans Series and British GT Championship programmes.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd is a family owned, luxury whisky merchants. With origins dating back to 1864, the company selects and matures casks from distilleries across the length and breadth of Scotland and currently owns one of the world’s largest private collections of vintage Scotch whisky. With a multi award-winning brand portfolio, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd harnesses generations of expertise to deliver the finest whisky without compromise.

The Black Bull brand dates back to 1864 and was the first 100 proof blend to be sold in the US, where it came to prominence after the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Repackaged in 2008, Black Bull is now available in 12-year-old, 30-year-old, 40-year-old and Special Reserve expressions and has won numerous awards, including five gold medals in 2011 alone.

“For Ecurie Ecosse to initiate a new alliance with a major brand like Black Bull is a terrific opportunity for European promotional activity. Indeed, we are already discussing a number of innovative activation strategies with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky for implementation throughout the year,” said Ecurie Ecosse Director and driver Oliver Bryant. “This partnership is a great match: both are world-class Scottish brands with a rich heritage and pedigree who share the same goal of being at Le Mans in 2014.”

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Chairman, Euan Shand, added: “Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky are very pleased to be key sponsors of Ecurie Ecosse for the 2013 season, especially so in their pursuit of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014, the world’s greatest motor race. The rich heritage shared by both companies and their pursuit of excellence in their respective fields is surely a recipe for achieving that goal. Ecurie Ecosse’s current dominance in both championships is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Duncan Taylor’s Black Bull 100 Proof blended whisky brand to the attention of a new audience.”

Ecurie Ecosse currently leads the points’ standings in both the British GT Championship and European Le Mans Series (GTC Class). Black Bull branding will appear on the squad’s BMW Z4 GT3 for the first time at this weekend’s British GT round at Snetterton in the UK (June 15/16), while the next European Le Mans Series event takes the team to the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 19/20.